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How a Fistful of Dirt Started a Revolution

original magazine

Originally published in the 1994 Mossy Oak Bow Hunter magazine. 

Eight years ago, a master woodsman walked into a textile mill with nothing more than a fistful of dirt, bark, leaves, and limbs. He demanded that the colors of his new camouflage exactly match the natural colors he held in his hand. And he didn't leave until they did.

His name was Toxey Haas, and his desire was to achieve perfection in camouflage. That day was the beginning of a revolution in hunter concealment. It was the beginning of Mossy Oak, America's most effective concealment system.

You see, years in the field with his father and friends had taught Toxey that perfect camouflage had to combine both precise natural colors (for "blending") with precise natural patterns (for "breaking").

It seemed no camouflage company shared his opinion. So Toxey did something about it. And today, his camouflage, Mossy Oak, is squarely on top--with the most versatile system of concealment ever available. 

The power of Mossy Oak begins with a "dirty" combination of browns, greasy, and greens--all perfectly blended--that gives hunters the ability to disappear in virtually any outdoor terrain. All Mossy Oak patterns use these natural dirt colors (now known as our Bottomland pattern) for their base. Which means all Mossy Oak patterns are fully interchangeable to allow total versatility and maximum concealment in any terrain--from forest to field to mountain to marsh. And that's just the start of the Mossy Oak Concealment System. 

With Greenleaf, we add natural sapling leaves to replicate common undergrowth. For Treestand, it's branches that break-up the human silhouette. And to this branch overlay, we add a full coverage of large leaves to create our Full Foliage pattern.

Each of these patterns is the most effective for their specific terrain design and, when mixed and matched, allow a hunter to both blend and break-up anywhere in the country. No other camouflage can offer this level of adaptability. Because no other camouflage is designed like Mossy Oak. 

All Mossy Oak apparel is full-cut, tailored, and designed for the hunter. From sturdy stitching to sand-softened cotton, our garments are silent, strong, and built to perform under the toughest conditions the field has to offer. 

Join the revolution. Choose Mossy Oak Camouflage. Available at fine sporting goods stores.

Originally published in the 1994 Mossy Oak Bow Hunter magazine. 

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